Thursday, July 09, 2009

AK DENIES, SO IS IT TUN DAIM?

Malaysian billionaire rules out bid for United

The reclusive Krishnan - worth an estimated $7.4bn - has been linked with a bid for the stricken club.

However, in a statement issued on his behalf, Krishnan denies he is part of the bidding process, and the identity of those in talks with investment bankers Seymour Pierce remains a mystery.

It read: "A story was carried on 4 July 2009 in various newspapers in England that Mr Ananda Krishnan or companies owned by Mr Krishnan had expressed an interest in purchasing Newcastle United Football Club and that his representatives had been engaged in talks to explore or even conclude such a deal.

"There is in fact no truth or foundation to this story.

"Mr Krishnan has not expressed an interest in purchasing Newcastle United Football Club, has not sent any delegation to Newcastle to engage in such talks or authorised any representatives to negotiate on his behalf and is not considering any such purchase."

However, the consortium which visited the club's training ground yesterday for a second time is understood to be from Malaysia.

And the country's sports minister, Datur Ahmad Shabery Cheek, backed a Malaysian bid. He said: "We should be proud if it really happens. It's not impossible and I hope it goes